Jordan says no more excuses for Honda
Jordan, whose team used Honda power to win four of its five grand prix victories, is a self-confessed fan of the Japanese manufacturer and has backed the hiring of the former Ferrari strategic genius as a 'dream come true' for the team and its British star Jenson Button.
"Button has style, speed and experience: a class act who, without a doubt, will be a major threat if he ever gets the car," said Jordan, who he describes Button in his column for the January edition of F1 Racing (out Tuesday) as having world champion potential.
Jordan believes that Honda is now poised to capitalise on Brawn's experience, and after its worst season as a constructor, could be on the verge of becoming a major force again in F1.
"Brawn wouldn't go there without knowing that the funding, people, commitment and drivers are in place, and I think he'll put an astounding package together in a team that has mainly lacked guidance," he said. "Brawn has been around the block and has the respect of everyone in F1. "He may not be the world's greatest designer but he is the best at putting a team together and managing it. He also has great forsight and knowledge – and the ear of Max [Mosley] and Bernie [Ecclestone]." Honda slipped out of competitiveness in 2007 as the disappoininting RA107 chassis proved unpredictable and unrewarding for its drivers.
But while this set-back for the team -Â which scored its first victory at Hungary the previous season – was a massive blow, Jordan claims that Brawn is unlikely to fail in his quest to bring the team back to the front. "Proof that Brawn still has a racer's blood is this move to a team languishing at the back," said Jordan. "He did it with Benetton and Ferrari, but this challenge is even greater. "Ross has the stature to hold his own with Tokyo and UK Honda bosses. And when he re-emerges with a winning car it will be his greatest feat."